Nepal Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Nepal? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Nepal

For an introduction to shooting in Nepal see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Nepal Film Locations

For a small country, Nepal has tremendous geographic diversity. The Terai region in the south has tropical low-land plains and jungles. The Pahad region which runs through the middle of the country has hills, rivers and fertile valleys. The Himalayan region in the north has mountains. Eight of the world’s top ten highest mountains are found in Nepal. The country has one of the widest ranges of elevations on earth. Nepal is also known for its religious sites with over 3,000 ancient Hindu temples and over 1,200 Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Agricultural film locations include plantations of barley, corn, wheat, rice, tea, and sugarcane. Nepal produces carpets and other woven fabrics. Energy locations include hydroelectric power plants.

Nepal has hosted films including Black Narcissus (2020), Doctor Strange (2016), Everest (2015), Sherpa (2015), Little Buddha (1993), Baraka (1992), The Golden Child (1986), and Arabian Nights (1974).

Film locations can be divided into the following provinces:

Province No.1

Province No.1 is located in the far east of the country.

Mount Everest in the Himalayan mountain range is the world’s highest peak. Everest (2015) and Sherpa (2015) filmed on Mount Everest.

Sagarmāthā National Park which includes Mount Everest is known for its mountains, glaciers, valleys and alpine lakes such as the stunning Gokyo Lakes. The park is home to snow leopards, musk deers, and red pandas.

Other mountains of note in this province include Imja Tse, Kala Patthar, Mera Peak, Yala Peak, Pumori, Sandakphu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, Gokyo Ri, Lobuche, Cholatse, Baruntse, Kangtega, and Kangchenjunga.

Makalu Barun National Park has an elevation gain of more than 8,000 metres enclosing tropical forest as well as snow-capped peaks. Wildlife includes snow leopards, Indian leopards, clouded leopards, Himalayan wolves, Asian black bears, red pandas, Assam macaques, spotted linsangs, and a diversity of butterflies and birds.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Bairawa is home to wild water buffalos and a diversity of birdlife.

Khumbu Glacier is a beautiful location.

Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla is one of the world’s most dangerous airports with a steep descent on to a high mountain runway.

Namche Bazaar was filmed for Everest (2015).

Province No.2

Province No.2 is located in the southeast of the country.

Janaki Mandir is a Hindu temple in Janakpur.

Bagmati

Bagmati is a centrally located province.

Kathmandu is the capital, the largest city, main entry point by air, and main production service centre where crew and equipment are based. Thamel is the commercial and tourist neighbourhood. Kathmandu Durbar Square is an impressive location. Temples of note in Kathmandu include Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Taleju, and Amideva Buddha Park. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum was formerly a royal residence. The Garden of Dreams is an elegant neoclassical garden. Ranibari Community Forest is home to a diversity of birdlife. Taragaon Museum is an art museum in a unique 1970s-era modernist building. Tribhuvan International Airport is available for filming. Doctor Strange (2016), Everest (2015), and Arabian Nights (1974) filmed in Kathmandu.

Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur.

Changu Narayan is an ancient Hindu temple located on a high hilltop in Changu.

Bhaktapur is known for the temples of Durbar Square. Little Buddha (1993) and Arabian Nights (1974) filmed in Bhaktapur. Nyatapola Temple is a 5-storeyed Hindu temple.

Dakshinkali Temple is a Hindu temple.

Chitwan National Park is home to rhinos and tigers.

Gosaikunda is a mountain lake in Langtang National Park.

Langtang Lirung is the highest peak of the Langtang Himal.

Dorje Lhakpa is a pyramid shaped mountain.

The Bhote Koshi River is known for its whitewater rapids.

Gandaki

Gandaki is a centrally located province.

Pokhara is a city on Phewa Lake. It’s known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. Tal Barahi Temple is located on an island in the lake. Pokhara Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist pagoda-style monument on Anadu Hill. Devi’s Falls are located just outside of Pokhara.

Mountains of note in this province include Annapurna, Manaslu, Chulu Far East Peak, Machapuchare, Tharpu Chuli, Hiunchuli, and Gangapurna.

Tilicho Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with Tilicho Peak as the backdrop.

Gorkha Durbar is a fortified palace high on a hill above the town of Gorkha.

Black Narcissus (2020) filmed in Jomsom.

Manakamana Temple is a Hindu temple in Manakamana.

Lumbini

Lumbini province is located in the south of the country.

Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha.

Maya Devi Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple with a sacred pool located in Lumbini.

Ranighat Palace is located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River.

Bardiya National Park is home to tigers, one-horned rhinos, elephants, dolphins, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species.

Karnali

Karnali province is located in the northwest of the country.

Phoksundo Lake is a beautiful location in Shey Phoksundo National Park.

Rinchenling monastery is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Limi Valley.

Shey Gompa is another Buddhist monastery.

Sudurpashchim

Sudurpashchim province is located in the west of the country.

Nepal Film Location Permits

Nepal Film Permit. A Film Permit is required from the Ministry of Information and Communication. To apply for this permit our Nepalese fixer / producer will require information including visiting crew details, project synopsis, gear list, and other relevant project information. Only one permit is required for the entire project (ie: The Film Permit is per project, not per crew member). The permit fee amount will depend on where you shoot. Allow at least 2 weeks to process permits. If you’d like to know more about general city-wide b-roll permit costs, or costs of filming in National Parks mountain areas, or filming in temples, please contact us for this or other location specific information. Please note, some temples in the Kathmandu area are restricted for filming. Once a film permit is approved, the Ministry of Communications will assign a Liaison Officer to the project, at the expense of the production.

When To Shoot?

The best months to film high altitude mountains are from March to May and September to December. The winters are very cold making it difficult to reach higher altitudes. Summers are cloudy, hiding the most spectacular views of peaks. The best months to film in Nepal’s lowlands are from January to April and October to November. Kathmandu and Pokhahra can be filmed all year round, however June to August is the monsoon season where most of the rain falls. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Nepali festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:

• Shree Panchami in January.
• Ghode Jatra in March.
• Holi festival of colours in March.
• Buddha Jayanti in June.
• Gaijatra in August / September.
• Indra Jatra in August / September.
• Krishna Janmashtami in September.
• Dashain in September.
• Tihar, the Nepalese version of the Festival of Lights, in October.

Nepal is a predominately Hindu country, with a Buddhist and Muslim minority.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Nepal.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs depend on where you want to shoot. Filming in and around Kathmandu is not expensive. Logistically complicated shoots with considerable travel and safety requirements get expensive. Some crew and equipment may also need to be brought in from abroad which will add to the cost of filming. Our Nepali fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Nepal.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Nepal has a small pool of local directors, videographers and stills photographers. Nepal has all of the key crew required for a standard shoot. Specialist key crew may need to be brought in from abroad. Nepal has a good pool of professional mountaineers / Sherpas available for film shoots.

Contact us if you are looking for a Kathmandu based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Nepal.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.

Nepali is the official language. English is widely spoken.

Nepal has over 102 distinct castes and ethnic groups. Nepalese people have either predominately Indian or Tibetan features. Ethnic groups of note include the Chhetri, Bahun, Magar, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Kami, Musalman, Yadav, Rai, Gurung, Damai/Dholi, Thakuri, Limbu, and Sarki people. Caucasian extras can be cast from the large number of tourist visitors. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.

Nepal Film Equipment

Equipment. Nepal has most of the standard camera, grip and lighting equipment for hire. Please send us your equipment list so we can advise on what gear may need to be brought in. Bringing in gear is an easy process. Our Nepalese fixer / producer will arrange all customs clearances and meet you at the airport to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction is basic beyond Nepalese looks.

Studios and backlots. None exist at present.

Post Production. Post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits

Nationals of most countries can obtain a visa on arrival. A per-project Film Permit is required to film in Nepal. Contact your local Nepalese embassy or mission for more information.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are of a mixed standard. Many of the mountain and hill roads are impassible during the monsoon rains and winter snowfalls. Our local Nepalese film fixer / producer organises 4WD transport for safe and reliable travel. Some mountaineering locations are best reached by helicopter. The closest location is 3 hours by helicopter from Kathmandu. Everest Basecamp is an 8 day hike. There are many domestic airlines offering regular flights around Nepal. Several international airlines service flights to Nepal.

Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Kathmandu include:

Hotel Courtyard
Dwarika’s Hotel
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Please contact us for corporate rates.

For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes

Safety. See here for up to date travel advice. Our Nepalese fixer / producer has extensive experience in organising film shoots in mountain areas.

Down Time. Try hallucinogenic wild honey.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Nepal, please see below:

Hire Nepal Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Nepal, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Nepal, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.